Morning journal and courier., 1887-08-26

and were still fighting. Seeing that capture
was inevitable Colonel Tolles had the colors
secreted so effectively that they remained in
hiding until the Fifteenth passed through its
experiences as prisoners of war a libby. at
Camp Parole, Annapolis, on furlough north
until paroled, and finally were back at Kin-
ston on duty for Uncle Sam, when the ola
colors were resurrected from their hiding
place and foated once more on the regimen.
tai color line.
The last stand made by the left wing and
the 9th Massachusetts combined was simple
desperation. There was not, and we all
knew there was not, for us a fighting chance
The only thing which from the first it had
been possible for us to do was to gain time
for the main column to get in readiness for
the rebel assault. We did this SO effectively
as to entirely defeat the plan of General
Hoke, which was to take Cox's main column
by surprise and drive it back in disorder to
Newberne.
Our little isolated brigade, which Hoke
supposed was the main column, held at bay
the entire rebel force composed of Hoke's
Cheatham's and part of S. D. Lees divisions
until the divisions of Ruger and Palmer were
thoroughly appraised of the danger and in
position to meet it. It was then too late for
the rebels to do more than reconnoiter for
position, and when they resumed the attack
on the next day they found Cox's two divi-
sions entirely ready to receive them.
At our last stand we poured a lively volley
into the Johnnies at close quarters which
staggered their column little, only to bring
it on with more furious rush when it rail-
lied, and then-as we we'll knew would be
the case-they marched over us in bowling
hordes and we were prisoners of war Cap
tain Bassett of Company A was dead from a
gunshot wound, Major Osborn and Lieuten-
ant Bishop were both MORALLY wounded,
twenty six men of the Fifteenth Connecticut
fho H.,
to 1t were dead or dying, and more than forty
others were wounded so as to be utterly
helpless as prisoners of war.
For a time the Fifteenth Connecticut
ceased to exist as a fighting force in the
field. 1t had been placed in the most trying
position which ever falls to the lot of SOL
diers, and it had heroiually held an over
whelming force of the enemy in check until
his attack ceased to be surprise, and he was
compelled to meet well prepared Union
troops on equal terms and get most soundly
whipped.
Then began our experience as prisoners of
war, and it is safe to say that never a regi-
ment marched into captivity with better
right to feel that it had done its duty hero4
ically and well. The fault, if fault it was of
posting our brigade where rebel force of
fifteen thousand men could come between
it and the main column and attack from the
rear was certainly not the fault of our brig
ade or its colonel commanding
No regiment in the service ever had better
reason for voluntarily surrendering to an
enemy in overwhelming force than did the
Fifteenth at Southwest creek, but the idea
OF surrender was never for a moment enter
tanned, either by officers or men. The deter
mination was general to stand in the way of
rebel advance just as long as possible, to
make no sign of weakness or surrender, and
to cease firing only when our arms had been
forced out OF our hands by overwhelming
numbers. This we did, to the sacrifice of
ourselves, indeed. but that in spirit as
heroic as ever can animate a soldier.
Individual instances of bravery might be
mentioned almost without limit, but to men
ton some and exclude others would be invid-
1ous. One, however, my certainly be named,
as typical of all, without doing injustice to
any. Lieutenant Edwin Bishop, whose aged
and enfeebled father still lives in this city,
was acting adjutant of the Fifteenth during
this engagement, Lieutenant Rand being act
ing assistant diutant general of the brigade
When Colonel Tolles found it necessary to
move his skirmish line by the right toward
the railroad it necessarily deyolved on Lieu
tenant Bishop to convey the order. To do
this he had to pass over open ground which
had all day been mercilessly swept by the
rebel infantry fire at short range, and where
Captain Bassett got his death wound in the
forenoon. Bishop went with all the alacrity
and cheerfulness he would on an GRAND of
pleasure, and even when a rebel bullet |
pierced his spine and laid him helpless where
no aid could reach him his cheerfulness did |
not desert him. All the afternoon until his
captured comrades carried him to an old mill |
within the rebel lines, and until two DAYS
they were compelled to leave him |
lying on the floor of the fair ground hospital |
in Goldsboro in the tender care of his cap
tors, he conversed as cheerfully as if he was |
although he well knew that he |
had but few days, probably but a few
hours, to live. In those fearful hours of |
misery he won the admiration of every one |
his hand in last farewell by the calm cheer |
fitness with which he faced the death he |
knew was inevitable.
And 30 of all the many who there got their |
death or were MANNED for life, but the mar
ration of our experience as prisoners of war /
must be reserved for another chapter
The reading was followed with the closest |
attention and the paper was loudly applauded. |
Chairman Beecher called on Rev. Dr. D. |
Henry Miller, the first chaplain of the regi- /
ment, for speech as he knew he was in a |
hurry to get away in order to catch train. /
DR.. Miller is at present pastor of the First /
Baptist church of Norwich Tall as Saul |
and commanding in appearance he stood up,
looking almost as young as when he officiat- |
ed as chaplain twenty-five years ago.
Fronting his fellow comrades he said he |
deeply regretted the necessity for his leaving. |
These railroad time tables have been ar
ranged with no regard for my convenience.
which have to day. This is the twenty
fifth year since we first met together
and enlisted And I am glad
to see on this day SO many of
you. was surprised and delighted
to-day. There were so many of you here and
,he greetings so cordial. I don't think
body more united than this ever went out of
New Haven. To-day it is with pleasure that |
look upon you. May God bless you As
often as I have prayed for you in the past |
IT'LL will continue to pray for you in the
.uture. May we be true to ourselves and |
nay we be true to our God. Again 1 say,
nay God bless you" (Cheers)
Hardly had he finished and before the ap-
'lause had died out the band started lively
une.
Captain F. II. Lovejoy read the following
etter:
sAvIN Rock, Conn, Aug. %, 1887.
frank NJ. Lovejoy, Esq:
My dear comrade-The Naval Veteran as |
ociation of Connecticut, now at Savin Rock.
y unanimous vote hereby tender their
reeting and shipmate's sympathy to their
riends of the Fifteenth Connecticut volun-
GERS. Although we have barnacles on our
acks emblematic of our service, still we do
ot forget those who carried gray backs on
heirs during the dark days in our country's
1
ions by name. We do not forget you in
hose days of trials while you SO faithfully
o-operated with US on the inhospitabie |
hores of North Carolina. We are both COM
AIDES and shipmates now as then. May you
II be spared for many reunions like to-day,
nth such glorious and favorable weather.
Yours fraternally,
w. S. WELLEs,
ice President Connecticut Naval Veteran |
association.
Colonel Tolles then introduced judge
ardee. The judge said he rose more partic-
larly to thank those present for the high
onor he felt in being invited to be present
n such an occasion. "To me the history
'ems but troubled dream. I recall the
altering of this regiment; called By the
rcu1ar hanging on the wall in yonder part Z
the room, the only circular think of that
ind, calling for the enlistment of men for
lie Lyon regiment, which is now in exist.
ice. And yet, as said before, it ali seems
ke great and troubled dream. suppose
seems 30 to me because it did not fail to
y happy lot to be with you in your trouble.
here is no honor SO equal to standing by